USDA Gives Grants to Promote Local Food in Schools

(AP) — The U.S. Department of Agriculture has approved grants to 71 organizations in 42 states working on getting locally grown farm products into school cafeterias

In Iowa, Decorah-based Northeast Iowa Food & Fitness Initiative will get $95,600 to expand their program to more schools with a goal of increasing their local food purchase by 200 percent.

In Nebraska, the Center for Rural Affairs in Lyons will get $99,600. The organization plans to help 10 pilot schools set up farm-to-school programs and hold farm summits in eastern Nebraska to help build connections between farmers and schools.

The projects across the U.S. will serve more than 13,000 schools and 2.8 million students.